Defence Notes
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Defence Notes
Read the latest general defence news and company announcements from our team of expert journalists and analysts, giving you the 'so what' behind the latest headlines.
Defence Notes
Ukraine leads the way on battlefield use of directed energy weapons
Increased drone use in Ukraine and in Middle Eastern conflicts has created a strong impetus to develop laser and radio-frequency firepower as exploration of direct-energy technology intensifies.
Land Warfare
India unveils new air surveillance radars at Aero India 2025
Of the various types unveiled, one serves as an early-warning system, designed to detect stealth aircraft, while the second detects aerial targets and the third, protects mobile army units – all providing an extra-layer of threat detection for the Indian Armed Forces.
Air Warfare
IDEX 2025: Industry poised to profit from Middle East air forces’ modernisation efforts
Companies such as the Eurofighter consortium and Embraer, await potential orders from the Middle East, while countries including Saudi Arabia and the UAE work to add mass, modernise and replace ageing aircraft.
Air Warfare
China’s modernisation could “gradually erode” US advantage, says IISS
China’s growing capabilities, such as newly unveiled combat aircraft designs and ongoing J-20 aircraft production, were noted as examples of the country's rapid modernisation efforts and military reforms.
IDEX 2025 | View all news Hide
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![NAVDEX 2025: First of UAE Navy’s four Falaj-3 OPVs commissioned]()
NAVDEX 2025: First of UAE Navy’s four Falaj-3 OPVs commissioned
The vessels were first discussed a full ten years before the commissioning ceremony, and three more are due within the next three years.
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![IDEX 2025: Rafael increases missile and drone defence capability as threats and demands rise]()
IDEX 2025: Rafael increases missile and drone defence capability as threats and demands rise
Rafael president and CEO Yoav Tourgeman, speaking to Shephard at IDEX 2025, has outlined how the company is pushing through air defence programmes in the face of attacks on Israel from rockets, missiles and drones on multiple fronts.
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Defence Notes
Banding together to beat ballistic missiles (Sponsored)
The combined, proven capabilities of Raytheon Missiles & Defense radars safeguard security.
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Air Warfare
Regent’s Viceroy targets “early March” for US Marine-aided sea trials
11th February 2025
The sea trials will focus on de-risking the seaglider with US Marine involvement after Regent signed a partnership to help develop the prototype, against a backdrop of growing military interest from the UK and Japan.
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Defence Notes
Saudi Arabia eyes large procurement spend as it boosts 2025 defence budget to $78 billion
11th February 2025
The new figure is an increase from US$75.8 billion in 2024 and showcases the country’s focus on its Saudi Vision 2030 to achieve a diversified and sustainable economy, reducing the Kingdom’s dependency on oil.
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Air Warfare
Ukraine’s fighter fleet boosted with France’s Mirage 2000s and extra Netherlands’ F-16s
7th February 2025
The first Dassault Mirage 2000 aircraft have finally been delivered to Ukraine, as confirmed by France’s defence minister on 6 February. They will join the F-16s already in service to bolster Ukrainian air defence.
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Air Warfare
Indian defence budget boosted by 9% as MoD heralds a “year of reforms”
7th February 2025
This new budget announcement, which has an increased focus on domestic procurement, comes as international countries arrive ahead of Aero India 2025.
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Defence Notes
Broad demand for land and technology equipment boosts defence companies’ financial results
6th February 2025
Financial reporting season for the calendar year of 2024 has continued to show substantial growth for defence companies as countries across the world, particularly those in Europe, open the chequebook.
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Naval Warfare
Singapore’s navy starts naval patrols with uncrewed vessels
5th February 2025
The unmanned patrol vessels have utilised collision-avoidance AI and expertise from Western allies in their design and construction.
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Naval Warfare
Learning from Japan: how to transform a fleet at speed
4th February 2025
At a recent event in London, lessons were shared based on the experiences of the Japanese Navy and how it has been building a fleet rapidly.
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Defence Notes
EU commits to increased defence spending and boosting capability
4th February 2025
There has been increased pressure from the second-term Trump administration in the US, as there was in the first term, for increased defence spending from non-US NATO countries, a move which is noted by Europe as already occurring.
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Air Warfare
Boeing CEO notes “confidence” in defence arm despite 20% Q4 revenue loss
30th January 2025
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg indicated ongoing improvements were being made in its defence programmes going forwards, despite being affected in Q4 by cost pressures, higher manufacturing costs and the impact of the IAM strike.
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Air Warfare
Updated US Air Force doctrine emphasises the need for multi-domain capabilities
28th January 2025
Modifications in the US Air Force (USAF) doctrine aim to prepare the service for tomorrow’s warfare.
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Air Warfare
UK MoD “getting a grip” of budgets as three UK air programmes slip into the red
23rd January 2025
The E-7 Wedgetail, Future Combat Air System and the Protector programmes were highlighted as items of concern from a recently published UK Infrastructure and Projects Authority report.
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Defence Notes
Can the Trump administration overcome the Pentagon's multiple capability integration issues?
23rd January 2025
Better integration of systems and sensors across the branches will be critical to ensuring deterrence and readiness.
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Land Warfare
Avon Protection unveils new MITR-M1 Half Mask
22nd January 2025
The mask, according to Avon Protection, is ideal for personnel operating in a low-to-mid-level threat environment, including those special operations and military staff.
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Naval Warfare
SEA sells TLS to unnamed navy in the Americas
22nd January 2025
The longstanding modular torpedo launching system has been adopted by the unnamed navy.
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Defence Notes
Trump enters the White House promising into bring the US military to a “golden age”
21st January 2025
The returning US president also reiterated a commitment to supply the services with “made-in-America” capabilities and to end conflicts worldwide.
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Air Warfare
Lockheed wins $8.7 million contract for Singapore F-16 upgrades
21st January 2025
The contract modification announced by the DSCA, will cover consolidated spares in support of Singapore’s F-16 upgrade programme.
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Defence Notes
Incoming Irish government backs plans for larger defence force
17th January 2025
It has been more than six weeks since the Irish general election. After long negotiations, a coalition of two of the three largest parties and independents has resulted in a Programme for Government (PfG) which will form the basis of a government almost guaranteed to be formed on 22 January.
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Uncrewed Vehicles
Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market
16th January 2025
The UAV market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with innovations in technology and battlefield applications driving demand across military sectors. From the battlefields of Ukraine to NATO exercises and beyond, drones are transforming how wars are fought and supported.
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Land Warfare
Viettel acts as dominant force in Vietnam’s military modernisation
16th January 2025
Vietnam defence manufacturer Viettel, traditionally known for radar and communications equipment, has been moving into new areas including kinetic weapons and loitering munitions.
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![Ukraine leads the way on battlefield use of directed energy weapons]()
Ukraine leads the way on battlefield use of directed energy weapons
-
![India unveils new air surveillance radars at Aero India 2025]()
India unveils new air surveillance radars at Aero India 2025
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![IDEX 2025: Industry poised to profit from Middle East air forces’ modernisation efforts]()
IDEX 2025: Industry poised to profit from Middle East air forces’ modernisation efforts
-
![Saudi Arabia eyes large procurement spend as it boosts 2025 defence budget to $78 billion]()
Saudi Arabia eyes large procurement spend as it boosts 2025 defence budget to $78 billion
-
![Ukraine leads the way on battlefield use of directed energy weapons]()
Ukraine leads the way on battlefield use of directed energy weapons
-
![India unveils new air surveillance radars at Aero India 2025]()
India unveils new air surveillance radars at Aero India 2025
-
![IDEX 2025: Industry poised to profit from Middle East air forces’ modernisation efforts]()
IDEX 2025: Industry poised to profit from Middle East air forces’ modernisation efforts
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![Saudi Arabia eyes large procurement spend as it boosts 2025 defence budget to $78 billion]()
Saudi Arabia eyes large procurement spend as it boosts 2025 defence budget to $78 billion
